Dutch Squad Set for World Championships

By Oene Rusticus

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, April 26. THE Dutch Swimming Association selected 18 swimmers for the World Championships in Montreal after the final day of the Dutch Nationals in Amsterdam. Only five swimmers managed to swim an individual qualifying time while the others were added for relays or to gain experience at the international level.

The Dutch Nationals were highlighted by great swims in the 50 distances, but the field in the longer distances needs to be a lot stronger to regain a position at the top of the world.

Hinkelien Schreuder, finalist in the 50 backstroke in Fukuoka at age 17, swam a national record in this event, clocking 28.94. The final of the 50 butterfly had a close finish, with three swimmers under 27 seconds. Inge Dekker (26.62) just out-touched Chantal Groot (26.70) and Marleen Veldhuis (26.87). Reigning World Champion Inge de Bruijn is still rethinking her career and won’t be defending her crown in Montreal.

Dekker, Groot and Veldhuis also highlighted the 100 freestyle and Veldhuis won the final in 54.27, keeping Dekker (55.27) and Groot (55.51) at a safe distance. Breaststrokers Madelon Baans and Moniek Nijhuis had great battles in the 50 and 100 meters. The 17-year old Nijhuis won the 50 in 32.22 but had to leave the 100 to Baans (1:10.62-1:11.12).

The men’s breaststroke also had the best races, with clashes between Thijs van Valkengoed and youngster Lennart Stekelenburg, both eager to qualify for Montreal. Stekelenburg is the sprinter of the two and won the 50 in 28.46, setting a national record. Van Valkengoed is more of a 200-meter swimmer, so the 100 was a great race to watch. Van Valkengoed won the event at the finish in 1:02.27, just .17 ahead of Stekelenburg. Van Valkengoed also participated in the 200 IM, but had to leave the victory to Robin van Aggele (2:02.42 to 2:06.19).

Gijs Damen won the 100 freestyle in 50.69 (50.55 in the morning), but since five other swimmers have set faster times in the last month, he won’t be selected for Montreal. Olympic Champion Van den Hoogenband preferred training above participating in the Nationals.

The following Dutch swimmers have been selected for the World Championships in Montreal: